Biography

Jamie Chai Yun Liew joined the Faculty of Law (Common Law Section) in 2011. She is an expert in immigration and refugee law, administrative law, public law and poverty law. Jamie’s current research examines the meaning of citizenship in Canada, gendered implications of Canadian law on migrants, and how Canada’s immigration and refugee system marginalizes those navigating the process.

Jamie is a graduate of the University of Ottawa (LL.B), Carleton University (joint M.A./LL.B program), Columbia University (LL.M.), and the University of Calgary (B.Comm. and B.A.). After articling at a national full-service law firm in Toronto, Jamie clerked for Justice Douglas Campbell at the Federal Court, was a member of the Issa Sesay defence team at the Special Court for Sierra Leone, and was Commission Counsel at the Cornwall Public Inquiry. In 2007, Jamie opened a feminist legal practice with a colleague and practiced immigration law, criminal law, administrative law (landlord tenant, and ODSP appeals among others), and civil litigation. She continues to practice immigration and refugee law today as a sole practitioner.

Jamie has appeared at the Supreme Court of Canada, the Federal Court of Appeal, the Federal Court of Canada, and the Superior Court of Justice, the Immigration and Refugee Board, the Landlord Tenant Board and the Ontario Municipal Board, among others. Jamie is also a member of the litigation committee for the Canadian Council for Refugees (CCR) and the Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers (CARL).

Jamie teaches or has taught immigration law, refugee law, public law and legislation, administrative law, torts and a special seminar course titled, “Providing Legal and Medical Services to Refugees”.

Jamie is a frequent commentator in the media on immigration and refugee issues (CBC, CTV, Ottawa Citizen, among others) and has recently co-authored a book titled, “Immigration Law” with Donald Galloway published by Irwin Law (http://www.irwinlaw.com/titles/immigration-law-2e).